Doctor insights on:
I Have Pain In My Left Arm Down To My Hand With Numbness In The Fingers

1

Agree:
Agree that numbness and tingling in the pinky finger is likely a pinched nerve in the neck (c8) or injury to the ulnar nerve. Would suggest a physiatric or neurologic evaluation. May benefit from emg/ncv testing.
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2

Neurologisr:
There are many possible causes. The presence of weakness and numbness strongly suggest that nerves are being compressed in the arm. This could eminate fron the neck or from nerve entrapment at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome). A neurologist can diagnose this with elctrical studies and radiographic imagiong as needed.
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5

Nerve root injury:
One of the more common causes of your symptoms is a cervical nerve root injury called cervical radiculopathy. In a man of your age the cause is more likely to be osteoarthritis affecting the foramen (hole where the nerve root exits).

The reports of numbness argues against an intrinsic shoulder problem and without antecedent trauma a brachial plexus lesion is unlikely.

7

Get a medical exam:
This is a bit unusual. Numbness in the hand is usually caused by nerve damage in the wrist, elbow or neck, but wouldn't be associated with a lump. A medical exam is needed to sort it out.
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8

Mystery:
Your year long syndrome deserves better than a 2 line description (your part) and wild guessing (our part). A thorough evaluation is necessary. If the UK system allows you to go to a university for a comprehensive evaluation, I would recommend that.
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You need an:
Additional evaluation to determine the nature of your fast heart beat and continued symptoms. Make an appointment for evaluation by a primary care health care worker. Potentially you will need referral to a specialist (cardiologist.)
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11

Nerve issue:
Pain and numbness in a limb sounds like a pinched nerve. It can be pinched in the neck or wrist as well as possibly other places in the arm. Carpal tunnel can cause these symptoms as well and often cause numbess in thumb and index finger. You can try over the counter nsaids and a wrist splint but if sx aren't going away and especially if you have weakness you should see your doc.
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13

Consider these::
The numbness anatomy suggests ulnar distribution or c8-t-1, nervecompression in the neck, but this could also be seen in thoracic outlet syndrome. Have you had some recent trauma? Testing can reveal the diagnosis. Doubt the stomach issues relate to the arm and shoulder problem.
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Numbness:
Numbness in the left pinkie and the pinkie-finger side of the ring finger is usually caused by an injury to the ulnar nerve. In addition to lifting heavy objects (called a "traction" injury), the nerve can frequently be injured by compression, usually at the elbow, forearm, wrist or hand. Similar feelings can sometimes also be caused by nerve problems in the neck, or in an interchange of nerves called the brachial plexus. It takes a careful neurological examination, often aided by the use of nerve conduction study / electromyography to tell the difference between these problems.

Treatment can include splinting, surgery, or hand therapy (usually done by occupational therapists).

Left undiagnosed and untreated, problems can get worse and can lead to things including permanent weakness in the hand.

Neurologists who are board certified in neurology and board certified in electrodiagnostic medicine may be most helpful.
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15

Ulnar nerve:
This sounds like a problem with your ulnar nerve up in your elbow. This is the thick cord in your elbow called your "funny bone" that sends electric shocks down when you hit it. You should get this checked out by a doc to see what treatment needs to be done before this leads to permanent problems.
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17

Numbness/pain:
Check with your pcp for pinched nerves in your neck or perhaps sequellae of stroke. Hard to tell without examining you, but other considerations include carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger, possibly dupuytren's contracture.
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18

Tingling sensation a:
Depending on whether the symptoms are abrupt or chronic, the answers are different. It could be a cerebrovascular event such as a stroke, or a combination of problems, facial neuralgia with a cervical radiculopathy. It depends on your medical history. This may be emergent, and it should be worked up immediately by a neurologist.
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19

Need examination:
You should be examined by a neurologist in all likelihood and very possibly you may benefit from an EMG which is an electrical test. Also, an imaging study such as CT or MRI may be requested to look the neck region. Try and discover (and document) what makes the shooting pains better and what makes them worse to tell the doctor. They will appreciate that information.
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20

Not certain without:
More information. But if it persists, sounds like you need to see a neurologist to figure out if this complex unilateral nerve distribution pain/numbness can be blamed on one syndrome or condition. Have a wonderful day and thanks for trusting in HealthTap.
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21

Arm numbness:
Need more information like how long it lasts? When did it start? Any other symptoms associated? Any neck injuries? Any problems with your neck? These are some things that need answered before someone can help you.If it is acute get into your doctor as soon as possible or the ER.
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22

Position change need:
Arm and hand numbness overnight is commonly caused by neck mal positioning or wrist flexion during sleep. Sleep collar, special pillows for supporting head, and wrist braces are easily obtained for a trial. The edema should not recur with above. If the problem is not resolved, your doctor can assist
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23

Possibly:
Yes, the nerves that supply your hand run through the neck and compression in the neck can therefore cause hand pain and/or numbness. The other main cause is a problem in the hand itself. Don't hesitate to be seen. A nerve conduction test can be helpful as well.
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24

Little finger numb..:
The nerve supply to the little finger can be affected. A circulation issue can also account for numbness. Sometimes a simple bruise or contusion or a swollen finger can also make out feel "numb" or different

when looking for nerve compression start at the finger and work your way up tot the neck any compression on any area can cause the finger to fell different. Although we generally use the word "numb" or numbness a true numb finger has no feeling at all. Maybe a better word is tingling to mean only a partial difference in sensation.

Even a swollen joint from arthritis or a bruise to the finger can make the tip f a finger feel different. A swollen tendon or a trigger finger can also make the finger feel less normal.

A contusion or bruise to the palm can affect the digital nerves that go to the finger.

A site of compression can be a the wrist. The ulnar nerve at the wrist more commonly affects the little finger, but some people with carpal tunnel syndrome complain of little finger numbness even though we are not supposed to be "wired" that way.

At the elbow the ulnar nerve continues up the arm and the inside of your elbow where you would think of your "funny bone" as residing is a site of compression that can give tingling in the little finger. Hoever usually little finger tingling from the ulnar nerve at the elbow will be accompanied by tingling on the top of the hand on the little finger side too.

Finally a compressive site in the neck or at a lower cervical nerve root (the lower part of your neck or cervical spine) can also give tingling

as for circulation, there are a variety of systemic and localized conditions that affect circulation in the hand from ryanauds, a spasm of the blood vessels due to cold, to the decreased circulation (and neve issues) of diabetes, to a disorder that is associated with trauma to the palm and interruption of normal hand circulation.

Finally there are more severe conditions that can simulate 'numbness" in arm of exretemities that are indirectly related to nerve or circulation issues

should one who has little finger numbness need to worry about all these things and more? The answer is yes and no. That's for your health care provider to determine but if the numbness continues your should seek medical attention.

From a hand or orthopedic surgeons perspective: a lot of those who have numbness in the little finger have cubital tunnel syndrome, which is a chronic compression of the ulnar nerve (your funny bone) at the elbow

in the meantime think about your arm position when you are sitting at the desk or kitchen table and typing, simply sitting and being on a keyboard both your hands rotated on the keys and the inside of your elbow resting on the table or table edge can also give tingling in the little finger!

those who want to know more about cubital tunnel syndrome affecting the ulnar nerve can follow the link provided.
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26

Not urgent:
I would like to know where your other body aches are and what you do for work and leisure. Do you also have a neck pain? This most likely is a pinched nerve, but based on your answers to my questions above could also be something else
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29

Where is the lesion?:
If its just the middle fingertip you probably squeezed something too hard and have an issue with what's called a proper digital nerve. Recovery depends on weather or not the injury caused focal demyelination or actual nerve injury. (Usually the former takes a week or two and the later may take months if the nerve has to regrow. Sometimes Carpal Tunnel or a pinched nerve in the neck can do this
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30

Possibly not:
If it just started 10 days ago, likely not from the C6-7 level given the distribution of symptoms too. Your surgery was about 1 year ago. So it is likely your new symptoms is coming from the level below your prior surgery, or from your ulnar nerve most likely from your elbow. Go see s spinal specialist for advice.
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